The Holy Gospel According to Luke (2:22-32)
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: The First Reading for today from the prophet Malachi foretells the arrival of the Lord to the Temple. Today, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, marks forty days since Christmas and the fulfillment of this prophecy. As was their custom, Joseph and Mary brought their child to the temple to be presented to the Lord. Jesus, the light of the World, now encounters the Church. Joseph and Mary offered a sacrifice of 2 pigeons, an offering of the poor. They are met by the priest Simeon, who was righteous and devout and was awaiting the coming of the Messiah. When Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus into the temple, Simeon immediately recognized the Lord’s presence in his temple. Through eyes of faith, he saw the infant Jesus as the fulfillment of all the messianic prophecies, hopes, and prayers of the people of Israel. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he prophesied that Jesus was to be “a revealing light to the Gentiles.” Jesus came not only as “light and salvation” for the people of Israel, but for all nations as well. Simeon’s words on this occasion are the Gospel Canticle for night prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.
What does this mean for us today? Are we like Simeon, faithful and devout? Is our life in tune with the Holy Spirit? Are we able to recognize our Lord’s presence all around us and in others? Just as Simeon faithfully waited, we also await with the hope that our Lord will come for us someday. Simeon’s words are our words, for we have seen God’s promise fulfilled in the birth of our Lord Jesus. As we live our life, we do not know what lies ahead of us, but we trust in God because He doesn’t give us problems that we can’t fix and overcome.
Action for the Day: Pray the Prayer at Night from the Liturgy of the Hours. Focus and reflect on the Canticle of Simeon. Also, pray for the grace to recognize the Lord’s presence in our environments each and every day.
Audio Reflection:
